The automation proposal goes beyond reducing the number of watchkeepers on the bridge. Repeated control suites in the bridge, combat information center, and damage-control center could each supervise navigation, engineering, boats, weapons, and other ship systems. Machinery spaces could remain secured and normally unattended, with engineers entering chiefly for inspection or maintenance. If one control position or generator were lost, another would take over while the damaged zone was isolated rather than demanding an immediate human response under fire. Extensive redundancy also changes maintenance: a failed turbine can wait for port repair or be rebuilt during deployment without ending the ship's mission. Automation therefore supports both a smaller crew and continued operation after casualties, provided the crew is trained to manage the integrated system.
Chapter · 1:19:33-1:29:04
Distributed control rooms make automation a survivability system
Several complete control positions could run navigation, combat, engineering, and damage response while keeping sailors out of machinery spaces during routine operation or attack.